Grammy-Winning Artist Tarriona “Tank” Ball to Star in Chris Jones’ Feature Film Norma
October 6, 2025 – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Grammy-winning musician Tarriona “Tank” Ball, lead singer of Tank and the Bangas, will make her feature film acting debut as the title character in Norma, the upcoming drama from award-winning filmmaker Chris Jones. Currently in pre-production, Norma is an expansion of Jones’ acclaimed short film and marks his feature debut as writer and director.
Set against the backdrop of Louisiana’s storied musical history, Norma follows a guarded, aging blues singer who struggles to revive her career in a racially divided industry. With the support of a young, idealistic writer, she finds the courage to challenge the status quo and reclaim her rightful
place in music history. In addition to her starring role, Tank will also perform the film’s original soundtrack.
“I’ve been approached to join many different film projects, and I have turned them all down,” said Tank. “But when I read Norma, I felt deeply connected to this story. It spoke to me on a personal level, and I believe this role can be a defining moment for me as an artist.”
“There is not a single moment where Tank performs a song the same way twice,” said Jones. “She treats art as a living, breathing force that evolves with the present moment. That spontaneity and soul is exactly what I need to bring Norma to life on screen.”
Jones, a recipient of the NPN Take Notice Fund, NPN Creation Fund, and a New Orleans Film Society Emerging Voices fellow, is committed to honoring Louisiana’s legacy as the birthplace of jazz and blues. “Above all,” Jones said, “Norma is a tribute to the juke joints, tent shows, and the chitlin’ circuit that nurtured generations of musicians. It celebrates the resilience of artists like
Irma Thomas and Slim Harpo, whose music broke barriers of race, oppression, and classism.”
Norma is produced by Matthew Garth and Taylor Cooper, with support from the National Performance Network’s Take Notice Fund and Creation Fund.
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Press Contact
Email: normamovie@gmail.com
Website: www.chrisjonesworld.com
